VIEW GALLERY: Salem Public Schools Scholars Recognized at Salem State MLK Luncheon
SALEM (Feb. 3, 2026) – Five Salem Public Schools students were recognized for outstanding essays Monday afternoon at the 36th Annual Salem State University Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration at the SSU’s Veterans Memorial Hall.
Collins Middle School seventh grade student Vincent Zheng, who won the middle school category, and Horace Mann Laboratory School fifth grader Emily Impeartrice, who won the elementary school category, received their certificates from Lucy Corchado (Salem High School, 1986), the staff assistant for the Center for Justice and Liberation who emceed the ceremony.
Each received a copy of the book “March,” by the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis (D, Ga.) while Mr. Zheng and Ms. Impeartrice received $100, and Ms. Brooks $50.
Also honored was runner-up recipient Mychaelah Brooks, a fifth grader at Horace Mann, as well as honorable mention recipients Teairra Riley and Lux Scully, also fifth grade students at Horace Mann.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.
